GAINESVILLE| Florida football coach Will Muschamp said Wednesday that linebacker Jelani Jenkins is recovering well from a fractured right thumb that occurred in UF’s 20-17 win at Texas A&M on Sept. 8.

The junior, who has started 25 games in his career, will miss Saturday’s home against against Kentucky. UF has a bye next week before hosting No. 2 LSU on Oct. 6. Muschamp seems confident in Jenkins’ chances to play against the Tigers.

“They told me yesterday he went to the doctor and they changed his cast,” Muschamp said. “In eight days, they are going to pull the pin out of there and take another look at it. But, he’s going to start lifting and running today as far as getting back in the swing of things and getting his body back.”

Muschamp also said defensive end Dominique Easley is questionable for the Kentucky game with swelling in his knee. The junior was injured in the fourth quarter of last Saturday’s 37-20 victory at Tennessee. Easley would be replaced in the starting lineup by Earl Okine or Jonathan Bullard if he can’t play.

Offensive tackle Matt Patchan remains out and Muschamp did not offer a timetable for his return. The junior has yet to play this season with what Muschamp described as a pectoral injury last month.

Quarterback pressures pay off for Gators defense

Through three games, Florida has outscored opponents 27-0 in the last 15 minutes. The defense held Texas A&M and Tennessee to a combined 42 yards in the fourth quarter with only five of those coming last week.

Florida’s ability to pressure the quarterback late caused a key Tyler Bray interception with a minute left in the third quarter on Saturday.

“That was really by design,” defensive coordinator Dan Quinn said. “As you guys know, to finish a game and have some rushers available in the fourth quarter, you need to be able to have a defensive line that’s able to go in there and still have the ability to go do that.”

Whereas Florida played seven defensive linemen and three linebackers last season, the Gators rotate nine linemen and six backers, including newcomer Antonio Morrison and Neiron Ball.

“One of the things with our club this year compared to last year is more depth across the ball where we play more players,” Quinn said.

Cornerbacks shake off Tennessee performance

Florida knew going into Knoxville that Tennessee had an advantage at the wide receiver position.

The Volunteers featured the Southeastern Conference’s top receiving duo in Justin Hunter and Cordarrelle Patterson.

They gained a total of 151 receiving yards. Hunter burned Gators cornerback Marcus Roberson for a 42-yard completion down the sidelines in the first quarter for Tennessee’s longest pass play.

“We had a communication error for us in terms of eye control and how we played it,” Quinn said. “That was one of the things we’re talking about and how can we improve. For one, for us, for our defense, it’s our communication on the field.”

The secondary adjusted in the second half limiting Tennessee quarterbackBray to 105 yards and an interception.

Playing the two receivers gave valuable experience for the young secondary.

“You got primarily two first-round draft picks right there,” cornerback Loucheiz Purifoy said. “They can only make you better.”

Halapio praises fellow lineman Koehne

Trey Burton has competition for Mr. Versatile on the Florida Gators.

After right tackle Chaz Green couldn’t go against Tennessee with an ankle injury, offensive guard Kyle Koehne started in his place.

“He’s just smart, real smart, and he’s very flexible,” starting right guard Jon Halapio said. “We joke around sometimes like he’s the Trey Burton of the offensive line.”

Koehne said on Tuesday he felt more comfortable at guard, but the experience moving around along the line has benefited him as a football player.